On
Thursday, 6 January, the Solemnity of Epiphany, the Holy Father celebrated Mass
in St Peter's Basilica and ordained 12 new Bishops, who will serve in 11
different countries around the world. Stating that the new Pastors represent the
universality of the Church on the feast which celebrates the manifestation of
Christ to the nations, the Pope said: "Our liturgical assembly expresses
this catholic nature of the Church in a remarkable way, thanks also to you, dear
Bishops-elect. For around you are gathered in spirit the faithful from various
parts of the world to whom you have been sent as successors of the
Apostles". And he prayed that the light of Christ would always shine in
their hearts and their pastoral ministry. Here is a translation of the Holy
Father's homily, which was given in Italian.

1. "Arise, shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come. The glory of
the Lord is rising on you" (Is 60:1).

The prophet Isaiah turns his gaze to the future. He is not looking so much at
the secular future, but, enlightened by the Spirit, he directs his gaze to the
fullness of time, to the fulfilment of God's plan in the messianic age.

The prediction uttered by the prophet concerns the Holy City, which he sees
brightly shining: "Though night still covers the earth and darkness the
peoples, above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears" (Is
60:2). This is exactly what happened with the incarnation of the Word of
God. With him 'the true light that enlightens every man came into the
world" (Jn 1:9). From now on everyone's destiny will be decided by whether
he accepts or rejectsthis light: for the life of men isfound in
him (cf. Jn 1:4).

2. Today the light that appeared on Christmas extends its rays: it is the
light of God's epiphany. It is no longer only the shepherds of Bethlehem who
see and follow it; it is also the Magi Kings, who came to Jerusalem from
the East to adore the newborn King (cf. Mt 2: 1-12). With the Magi came the
nations, which begin their journey to the divine Light.

Today the Church celebrates this saving Epiphany by listening to the
description of it in Matthew's Gospel. The well-known account of the Magi, who
came from the East in search of the One who was to be born, has always inspired
popular piety as well, becoming a traditional part of the crib.

Epiphany is both an event and a symbol. The event is described
in detail by the Evangelist. The symbolic meaning, however, was gradually
discovered as the Church reflected more and more on the event and celebrated it
liturgically.

3. After 2,000 years, wherever Epiphany is celebrated, the Ecclesial
Community draws from this precious liturgical and spiritual tradition ever new
points for reflection.

Here in Rome, in accordance with a custom to which I have wanted to remain
faithful since the beginning of my Pontificate, we celebrate this mystery by
consecrating new Bishops. It is a tradition that has its own intrinsic
theological and pastoral eloquence, and today we joyfullyintroduce it
into the third millennium.

Dear Brothers who will shortly be consecrated, you come from various nations
and represent the universality of the Church which adores the Word made flesh
for our salvation. Thus the words of the responsorial psalm are fulfilled: Lord,
every nation on earth will adore you.

Our liturgical assembly expresses this catholic nature of the Church in a
remarkable way, thanks also to you, dear Bishops-elect. For around you are
gathered in spirit the faithful from various parts of the world to whom you have
been sent as successors of the Apostles.

4. Some of you will carry out the mission of Apostolic Nuncios: you,
Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, in Bolivia; you, Archbishop Giacomo Guido Ottonello,
in Panama; you, Archbishop George Parrikulam, in Honduras; and you, Archbishop
Alberto Bottari de Castello, in The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
You will be papal representatives in these countries at the service of the local
Churches and of the authentic human progress of their respective peoples,

You, Bishop Ivo Baldi, will lead the Diocese of Huaraz, Peru. You, Bishop
Gabriel Mbifingi, have been chosen as Coadjutor Bishop of Lwena, Angola; and
you, Bishop David Laurin Ricken, as Coadjutor Bishop of Cheyenne in the United
States of America.

Episcopal ordination will confirm and strengthen you, Bishop Anton Cosa, in
your service as Apostolic Administrator of Moldova, and you, Bishop Giuseppe
Pasotto, as Apostolic Administrator of the Caucasus.

You, Bishop Andras Veres, will be Auxiliary Bishop to the Archbishop of Eger,
Hungary; and you, Bishop Peter Erdo, will be Auxiliary to the Pastor of
Szekesfehervar.

As for you, Bishop Franco Croci, you will continue your work as Secretary of
the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

Be ever mindful of the grace of this Epiphany day! May the light of Christ
always shine in your hearts and your pastoral ministry.

5. Today's liturgy urges us to be joyful. There is a reason for this:
the light that shone from the Christmas star to lead the Magi from the East to
Bethlehem continues to guide all the peoples and nations of the world on the
same journey.

Let us give thanks for the men and women who have made this journey during
the past 2,000 years. Let us praise Christ, Lumen gentium, who guided
them and continues to guide the nations down the path of history!

To him, the Lord of time, God from God, light from Light, we confidently
address our prayer. May his star, the Epiphany star, continually shine in our
hearts, showing to individuals and nations the way of truth, love and peace in
the third millennium. Amen.

Taken from:
L'Osservatore Romano
Weekly Edition in English
12 January 2000, page 3

L'Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See.
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